William B. French Most Valuable Player Award
This annual award recognizes the outstanding individual player in The Tournament based on sportsmanship, ability and overall performance. Presented by the Sons of the American Legion, it is named in honor of Bill French who was an NJCAA All-American at Hutchinson and was selected to the 1960 All-Tournament team. He and his wife, Mary Kay, died in an automobile accident in 1968. A fan favorite during his playing days, Bill played prep basketball at Pretty Prairie before starring at Hutchinson and later at the University of Wyoming.
| WILLIAM B. FRENCH MVP AWARD | 2020-present | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Zati Loubaki | Trinity Valley (TX) | 2025 | |
| Lajae Jones | Barton (KS) | 2024 | |
| Quimari Peterson | John A. Logan (IL) | 2023 | |
| Deshawndre Washington | Northwest Florida State | 2022 | |
| Tylor Perry | Coffeyville (KS) | 2021 | |
| No tournament held due to COVID-19 | 2020 | ||
| WILLIAM B. FRENCH MVP AWARD | 2010-2019 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Kevin Osawe | Vincennes (IN) | 2019 | |
| Keith McGee | South Plains (TX) | 2018 | |
| Shakur Juiston | Hutchinson (KS) | 2017 | |
| Conner Toolson | Salt Lake (UT) | 2016 | |
| Brandon Austin | Northwest Florida State | 2015 | |
| Leroy Fludd | Jones County (MS) | 2014 | |
| Eugene McCrory | Central Florida | 2013 | |
| Yanick Moreira | South Plains (TX) | 2012 | |
| Pierre Jackson | Southern Idaho | 2011 | |
| Josh Watkins | Howard (TX) | 2010 | |
| WILLIAM B. FRENCH MVP AWARD | 2000-09 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| D.J. Wright | Salt Lake (UT) | 2009 | |
| Jonathan Hall | South Plains (TX) | 2008 | |
| Rorigue Mels | Midland (TX) | 2007 | |
| Hatila Passos | Arkansas-Fort Smith | 2006 | |
| Roderick Earls | Paris (TX) | 2005 | |
| Kelvin Pina | Southeastern (IA) | 2004 | |
| Filberto Rivera | Southeastern (IA) | 2003 | |
| Jaime Lloreda | Dixie State (UT) | 2002 | |
| Antwan Barbour | Vincennes (IN) | 2001 | |
| Aaron McGhee | Vincennes (IN) | 2000 | |
| WILLIAM B. FRENCH MVP AWARD | 1990-99 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Corey Hightower | Indian Hills (IA) | 1999 | |
| Pete Mickeal | Indian Hills (IA) | 1998 | |
| C.J. Bruton | Indian Hills (IA) | 1997 | |
| Eric Martin | Sullivan (KY) | 1996 | |
| Larry Coates | Okaloosa-Walton (FL) | 1995 | |
| Roy Hariston | Hutchinson (KS) | 1994 | |
| Paul O'Liney | Pensacola (FL) | 1993 | |
| Shon Peck-Love | Three Rivers (MO) | 1992 | |
| Mark Morse | Arizona Western | 1991 | |
| Elmore Spencer | Connors State (OK) | 1990 | |
| WILLIAM B. FRENCH MVP AWARD | 1980-89 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Terry Brown | NE Oklahoma A&M | 1989 | |
| Maruice Brittian | Hutchinson (KS) | 1988 | |
| Jim Smith | Herkimer (NY) | 1987 | |
| Ledell Eackles | San Jacinto-Central (TX) | 1986 | |
| Averian Parrish | Dixie State (UT) | 1985 | |
| Walter Berry | San Jacinto-Central (TX) | 1984 | |
| Frank Spoon James | San Jacinto-Central (TX) | 1983 | |
| Puntus Wilson | Midland (TX) | 1982 | |
| DeWayne Shephard | Westark (AR) | 1981 | |
| Paul Pressey | Western Texas | 1980 | |
| WILLIAM B. FRENCH MVP AWARD | 1970-79 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Thurlon Weaver | Three Rivers (MO) | 1979 | |
| Thomas Louden | Independence (KS) | 1978 | |
| Chester Giles | Independence (KS) | 1977 | |
| Kenny Davis | Southern Idaho | 1976 | |
| Bobby Miller | Western Texas | 1975 | |
| Connie White | Mercer County (NJ) | 1974 | |
| Melvin Weldon | Mercer County (NJ) | 1973 | |
| Bill Butler | Vincennes (IN) | 1972 | |
| Benny Clyde | Ellsworth (IA) | 1971 | |
| Andy Knowles | Moberly Area (MO) | 1970 | |
| WILLIAM B. FRENCH MVP AWARD | 1960-69 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Bobby Jones | Paducah (KY) | 1969 | |
| Bobby Sands | Mercer County (NJ) | 1968 | |
| Tom Thoenen | Moberly Area (MO) | 1967 | |
| Frank Judge | Cameron (OK) | 1966 | |
| Robert Pritchett | Vincennes (IN) | 1965 | |
| Mickey Hartsburg | Casper (WY) | 1964 | |
| Eugene Bogash | Wilmington (NC) | 1963 | |
| Paul Henry | Coffeyville (KS) | 1962 | |
| Robert Warlick | Pueblo (CO) | 1961 | |
| Doug Pendygraft | Lindsay-Wilson (KY) | 1960 | |
| WILLIAM B. FRENCH MVP AWARD | 1948-59 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Allen Holmes | Weber (UT) | 1959 | |
| Sid Cohen | Kilgore (TX) | 1958 | |
| John Nicoll | Eastern Arizona | 1957 | |
| Eugene Poston | Pueblo (CO) | 1956 | |
| Danny Dotson | Hannibal-LaGrange (MO) | 1955 | |
| Robert Burrow | Lon Morris (TX) | 1954 | |
| Denver Brackeen | East Central (MS) | 1953 | |
| Dick Garmaker | Hibbing (MN) | 1952 | |
| Darrell Floyd | Wingate (NC) | 1951 | |
| Gene Garrett | Northeast Mississippi | 1950 | |
| Allen LaMont | Compton (CA) | 1949 | |
| Robert Crowe | Compton (CA) | 1948 | |